Love in Distance: Visa Processing

Love in Distance

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Visa Processing

TIMELINE

07 Feb

met online

07 June 6

got engaged

07 Sep 12

met in person

07 Oct 19

sent packets to USCIS via attorney

07 Nov 03

received receipt/tracking number(NOA1)*

08 Feb 19

petition approved(received thru email)

08 Feb 25

NVC* sent packets to US Embassy Manila

08 Feb 29

received letter from NVC containing the case number

08 Mar 07

should receive NOA2* but USCIS said that they had the wrong address; should receive it within 45 days(sucks!)

08 Apr 01(AM

) called US Embassy to set an appointment date

08 Apr 01(PM)

received letter from the Embassy stating that we may call to set an apppintment (I already did it :-P)

08 Apr 18

received I-797 from USCIS (NOA2) (refer to 08 Mar 07 :-(. )

08 Apr 17

paid DELBROS for document verification

08 Apr 24

done with my (K1) medical exam.

08 Apr 29(PM)

done with my son's (K2) medical exam.

08 Apr 29(AM)

first appointment/interview date; postponed due to some delay in medical exam.

08 Apr 30

called US Embassy to reschedule appointment.

08 May 05

request for document verification forwarded from DELBROS to NSO

08 May 06

Interview date

08 May 30

Visa on hand

Total processing time: 7 months and 11 days

*note:

NOA - Notification of Action from the USCIS

NOA 1 - notice that that the USCIS received your case and would be queued for processing.
receipt/tracking number - comes with NOA 1; used for checking the status of your case on the USCIS website.

NOA 2 - the approval of the petition

NVC - State Department's National Visa Center; would receive the approval from USCIS, do a background check for the petitioner, and forward the case to US Embassy if case found eligible.

My Step-by-step K1 Visa Interview

MY DOCUMENTS

APPOINTMENT LETTER. Once you contacted the US Embassy Call Service Center to set for an Interview, they should send on your e-mail the appointment schedule you have set with them, then print it out.

PASSPORT. If you already had your medical exam, the St. Luke's should have your passport and they'd forward it together with your medical exam results to the US Embassy.

DS-156 NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION. Click here to download the form. Per applicant should complete two copies of this form.

DS-157 SUPPLEMENTAL NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION. Click here to download the form. Per applicant should complete two copies of this form. When you pay for the Visa in the bank, they would provide you a copy of this with a pink stamped on the back to indicate your payment.

DS-156K NONIMMIGRANT FIANCE(E) VISA APPLICATION. Click here to download the form. Only a K1 applicant is required to complete this form.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Your birth certificate should be a copy issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO security paper. If applicable, you should also submit NSO birth certificates for all your children, even for those who are not applying for a visa.

NBI CLEARANCE. Applicants aged 16 years and older must have a valid Record Clearance for Travel Abroad Purposes from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Clearances should be in the applicant’s current name, birth certificate name, maiden name and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings you have used of those names. For immigration purposes, an NBI clearance is valid for one (1) year from the date it was issued.

CENOMAR (CERTIFICATE OF NO MARRIAGE). This can be obtained from the NSO (National Statistcis Office).

I-134 AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT FORM. The petitioner should complete this form and have it notarized. It should go with most recent U.S. Federal income tax return (Form 1040) and wage statements (Form W-2). Employment letters stating salaries and bank statements may be included. You may download this form on this link: I-134.

PHOTOGRAPHS. I had about 20 pictures. Paste them in a bond paper as put captions for each picture. Be as creative as you can so that the consul would appreciate the presentability of it.

ITINERARY OF FLIGHTS. My fiance forwarded me his flight itineraries so that I was able to print them out from my e-mail. This would serve as the evidence that you met each other prior to the petition.

More evidences of relationship:
PHONE BILLS.
E-MAILS AND CHAT TRANSCRIPTS.
WESTERN UNION AND SNAIL MAIL RECEIPTS.

PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

- I made sure that I have all the documents I needed for the Interview. I looked at the list of documents from this link to be sure that I didn't miss anything.

- Don't hesitate to bring extra documents such as evidence of relationships. It's better to have more than to have less, that is what I was thinking during my preparation.

- Pay for the document verification at least a month before the interview. I think this is one of the mistake I made because I was able to pay it 1 week before the Interview, that is why I think it would take awhile before I can have my Visa because the Embassy didn't receive the documents they requested for verification from the appropriate office yet.

- There may be some cases where the consul would ask there whereabouts of your petitioner. I had a photocopy of my petitioner's passport and a recent picture of him holding a newspaper with the headline.

- Medical examination is completed.

- Brought two black pens (hehe). But don't ever bring a cellphone or any electronic device. Lighter and ciggarettes are strictly prohibited too.

THE PROCESS

1. Arrived at the embassy at 6:00 A.M. but they're still not accepting K1 applicants. They said wait until they call out Immigrant Visa applicants.
2. Called the IV applicants about 6:30 A.M. and fall in line.
3. Present one valid ID and appointment letter.
4. Proceed to Gate 2 then went to the IV room. The guard will tell you where to wait or sit down. Then someone said to prepare the DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157, Original NSO Birth Certificate, and Passport (if available).
5. Fall in line on the ticket window. Gave the documents being asked to prepare. Got my ticket number. Went back to seat.
6. Name called at Window 33 for finger scanning. Went to the said window then go back to seat after the finger scanning was done.
7. Number flashed on the board with the corresponding window where you need to go which is for pre-screening.
8. Pre-screener asked the Affidavit of Support form together with the Form 1040 and W2. She also asked for the pictures. Had a pre-interview (she would ask you regarding how did you meet your fiance and his financial status). Sign the forms and correct the mistakes. (This is where you needed the black pen. hehe)
9. Number flashed on the board again with the corresponding window where you need to go which is for the final Interview with the consul.
10. Went inside the room with my son (K2 applicant) and sat down. Interview. Done after less than 5 minutes. Consul said that wait for my name to be called for the next step that I need to do.
11. Name called at Window 37 and received a two sheets of paper.
12. Proceed to Delbros window. Fill up the form(s). Pay for the Visa delivery (PHP 250.00).

DONE

INTERVIEW WITH THE CONSULAR OFFICER

consul: good morning! (looking serious. it made me a little bit tense)
me: good morning! (smile)
consul: raise your left hand (coz I was tense, I was then confuse where my left hand is..lol!, but was able to figure it out though. lol!)
do you ...(it's an oath, I forgot what exactly he said.. I was so nervous by that time...)
consul: what's your name?
me: jonaver
consul: who petitioned you?
me: my fiance, Andrew Wayne Kuhn
consul: how did you meet?
me: through a website
consul: when did you first met online?
me: around February of 2007
consul: when did you meet in person?
me: September 12, 2007
consul: (looking at my son who is sitting in my lap) who is he?
me: my son
consul: how old is he?
me: 1 year and 7 months old
consul: where is his father?
me: i don't know
consul: (about to say something) OK. how old are you?
me: 24
consul: have you been married before?
me: no
consul: how old is your fiance?
me: 34
consul: when is his birthday?
me: December 20, 1973
consul: have he been previously married?
me: no
consul: does he had any child?
me: no
consul: is he living alone?
me: no
consul: who is he living with?
me: his sister
consul: will you live with him and his sister once you get to his place?
me: yes, temporarily
consul: where is your son's born?
me: cagayan de oro city, philippines
consul: what hospital?
me: (i almost forgot) northern mindanao medical center
consul: (sign on some documents) wait outside and your name will be called for the next step that you need to do.
me: ok. thank you! (grin)
consul: take care (smile .. at last!)

Medical Exam (my step-by-step process)

REQUIREMENTS
- Passport and one photocopy of it.
- One 2x2 Picture in plain white background and another two 2x2 Picture upon releasing the result.
- Appointment Letter and one photocopy per applicant.

PROCESS (this is based on my own experience)

DAY 1 - April 23, 2008

I arrived at SLMCEC 6:00 AM and there are lots of people who are already there.

Step 1: Gave the required documents to the guard before getting inside the clinic. He'll check it and give you the forms that you need to fill up and your priority number.

Step 2: Filled up the form (PDS).

Step 3: My number was called by another guard and proceeded to have a picture taking on a room just in the ground floor. Each applicant should be taken a picture.

Step 4: Fall in line on the reception area. The receptionist checked my forms and required documents and asked me some questions (i.e. if that was my first time having a medical exam at St. Luke's, when was the last I had an X-ray, how many are we whose taking the medical exam, do I have some relatives who already went medical at st. luke's and so on).

Step 5: Went to 5th floor to pay at the Cashier. The payment should be in pesos. Click here for the cost of the medical examination now.

Step 6: Submit papers to the USA counter(5th floor) for physical exam. Checked height and weight, eye test, blood pressure, and physical exam (one on one with a doctor and needs to undress).

Step 7: Submit papers at the reception area(4th floor) for blood test and urine test and fill up a waiver for HIV blood test. Name called and went to the room at the back (same floor) for blood test. Then went to CR and get vial from the nurse sitting in the entrance of the CR. Urinate and submit the vial with my urine to same nurse. Name called and get your papers.

Step 8: Submit papers to the counter for X-ray (3rd floor). Name called and went to X-ray room. Take off upper clothes (including bra) and wear their robe (one use only). Took X-ray and bring papers to the 2nd floor after dressing up.

Step 9: Submit papers to the vaccination area table for vaccine interview (2nd floor). Name called and fall in line. If you have previous vaccination, make sure that you bring your records and it should be signed your doctor with his/her license number, it doesn't need to be notarized. The doctor asked me if I want to have my shots at St. Luke's or have it once I'm in the US because it is NOT required for K1 and K2 applicants but it is required for adjustment of status.

Step 10: Go back to 3rd floor and submit all your papers at the Check-out counter. They'll tell you to go back the following day for your vaccination and releasing of result. Make sure that they'll give you your receipt.

I was able to finish it at 11:00 o'clock in the morning.

DAY 2 - April 24, 2008 (9:30 AM)

Step 11: Show my receipt to the guard at the ground floor and they checked it on their computer. They stamped it "IMMUNIZATION (2ND FLOOR)". Went to 2nd floor and put my receipt on the box in front where it says says "PUT YOUR RECEIPT HERE" then waited my name to be called.

Step 12: After a few hours of waiting and probably doze off a bit(lol) my name was called and proceeded to the Immunization Room. Show passport to the nurse. Got my 3 shots and it hurts.

Step 13: Go down to ground floor for the releasing of results. Name called at Counter A. I gave my passport and two 2x2 photo with white background (if possible, similar to the one you attached in your PDS) with my full name at the back of each photo.

Step 14: Waited and name called at Counter E. They asked me some questions, I believe, for verifications because they would based on all the papers that you submitted to them. They gave me my X-ray film and vaccination sheet. They'll be the one who'll be forwarding the results , together with your passport, in 2-3 working days to the US Embassy.

For my son (K2 Visa)

We went together from Step 1 to 6. But during his physical exam (one on one with the doctor), the doctor was worried about the white spots that appeared on both of my son's arms, so she referred us to the dermatologist. Then we went to the 2nd floor for his vaccination interview. Unfortunately, they were not satisfied by his vaccination records because it was not signed by his pediatrician eventhough we have a certificate from his pediatrician and notarized by an attorney. So they suggested that my son should undergo vaccination that is appropriate to his age.

Went to Counter G and gave us the paper that we should be giving to the dermatologist who would check my son who is located at the St. Luke's main.

We then went to the dermatologist and have my son's skin checked. Glad to know that it's nothing serious and gave us cream that would cure those white spots on my son's skin. The doctor said that the result should be submitted to the SLMCEC within 2-3 working days. The result got in SLMCEC in the afternoon of the 28th.

We went to the SLMCEC first thing in the morning at the 29th. The guard stamped "MEDICAL RESULT IN PROGRESS (COUNTER A)", so we proceeded to Counter A and drop the receipt on the box intended for them. My son's name called at Counter G and told us that his papers would be assessed by their resident doctor but we can proceed to 2nd floor for the vaccination.

At the 2nd floor, after 3 hours of waiting, my son's name finally called and was interviewed by a doctor regarding his vaccination again and got the same result. Then after another 2 hours, my son's name was called again and we proceeded to the immunization room and my son got 5 shots at one time (just imagine the pain).

Went to ground floor for the releasing of result. My son's name was called at Counter A and I submitted his passport and two photos. After almost 3 hours which would be exactly 5 o'clock in the afternoon, my son's name was called at Counter B and had a little interview and son had his thumbmark on his PDS. Got his vaccination sheet.

DONE at April 29, 2008 (5:15 PM)